FABRICATION of Tasmania’s new minerals shiploader for the Port of Burnie has begun, state minister for infrastructure and transport Michael Ferguson said on Friday.
The contract to build the shiploader was awarded to Tasmanian company COVA Haywards in August last year.
Mr Ferguson said the new shiploader would double the loading speed of the existing equipment. He said the project is now well-advanced with the detailed design being completed.
The minister said the federal government had provided $64 million for the project.
“The new shiploader … will be a major bonus for the Tasmanian mining and mineral processing industries as the main export facility,” he said.
“Importantly, this gives both resilience and long-term confidence to [the] west coast mining sector, employing local people.”
Mr Ferguson said key components for the shiploader are now being manufactured on the north-west coast by a sub-contractor to COVA Haywards.
“TasRail is also well advanced with site preparation works at the Port of Burnie,” he said.
“In the coming months, major fabrication of the shiploader structure and wharf conveyor units will start at Haywards’ Western Junction site in northern Tasmania.”
TasRail is to maintain the current shiploader in a fit-for-purpose condition until the replacement facility is commissioned.
